Labor Day Excursion

Greg had Friday off as a Chrysler "Labor Day" holiday. We thought we'd make the most of it and headed over to the eastern-side of Michigan for a quick overnight stay. We thought we'd tour Holland, Michigan. A place known for it's tulip festival and windmills. The reality is that we saw no tulips and one tiny windmill. (When we finally found where you pay to walk down a "Dutch" street, we decided our money would be better spent at the location Nathan had found a brochure for...the miniature golf and go-cart place.) Despite being a bit different than we'd planned...and maybe because it was different than we'd planned...we had the best time just being together! Will write more about it later...but for now I'm just posting my favorite picture of family togetherness.

One coach, one cheerleader, and one little two-year-old who finally hit the ball!

Visit from Grandma Rogers--Scrapbook Pages

Visit from Grandma Rogers

We just had the best weekend! Our "Grandma" Rogers drove up from Indiana to visit! Here's one of my favorite pictures from our "lake trip" yesterday. Hope to be posting some scrapbook pages soon! Thanks so much for coming Grandma! We miss you already!

Paddle Boating

Olympic Celebration!

Our family loves having "something to follow". Whether it's March Madness basketball, the presidential elections, or American Idol...we love having something we're all keeping track of and talking about day by day.

This is one of the reasons why we have just been loving the Olympics! This week we've been using it as a good excuse to do both "educational" and just plain fun Olympic-related things with Nathan and Josh.

We started out by reading this book to the boys. We've had several "country" nights where we make the country flag out of construction paper, eat food from the country...and sometimes if we're lucky...learn a word or two from the language spoken in the country. This means we've had:

• China night (during the opening ceremonies): Chinese take-out and homemade egg drop soup and fried rice.


• Germany day: German pancakes for breakfast, Brats for dinner (couldn't find sauerkraut at the store!). (My sister also suggested German chocolate cake...but we didn't get that far.


• French dinner: French toast and french fries!


• Mexi-laysia dinner: A Mexican casserole recipe sent from my mom who's in Malaysia! (A definite stretch...but no complaints.) =)

Nathan and Joshua watching the Opening Ceremonies and eating fortune cookies.

It's also been a good excuse to play more "sports" outside...somehow it feels more exciting if you can label it "Olympic". Nathan playing "Olympic Soccer".

We even made "Olympic Torches" out of sugar cones, orange sherbet, and red sprinkles.

I was going to have us do an Olympic torch relay...but that was pushing Greg a little too far. =)Attempt at the Olympic Flag made out of square of tissue paper.

(Sorry--the date on this post is incorrect. Actual date posted is Friday, August 15th.)

Our Latest Adventure!

Spent a fun morning yesterday at a farm and orchard. The pages below are all pictures taken while we were there.

Making a Rocket

Here are the instructions for making a child-friendly rocket! (In the pictures of my last post.) This idea comes from my sister, Carol, who always comes up with fun ways to teach her children. I would love to hear how it goes if you try it!

1. Collect materials
· Cardstock
· Tape
· Empty plastic film canister
· Scissors
· Markers (optional)
· Alka-Seltzer tablets (we found box of Wal-Mart brand—under $3.00 for 36 tablets)

2. Cut two pieces of cardstock

--1 rectangle (approx. 6” x 8”)
--1 half-circle (approx. 3 ½ “ diameter)

3. Tape rectangle around the plastic canister. The canister at one end with just the lid ridge poking out. Shape half-circle into a cone and tape opposite end of “rocket” as the canister.

4. I have a hard time knowing what part of this I want Nathan to do. So often at this point I let him decorate the rocket with markers. Then before using, I wrap tape one time around the end with the canister to “waterproof” it. It just helps it last for more uses.
5. Then take outside with a little cup with warm water. Put one tablet in the canister and pour a in a little water. (Less than half full is usually best.) Snap the lid on. Stand back and count down! If you’re quick, you can get about 3 blasts out of each tablet. As soon as it lands back on the ground, put tablet back in and add a little more water.

A Visit from Dear Friends!

This last Friday we were lucky enough to have a visit from some of our favorite people from Indiana! Nathan's best friend these last couple years is a boy named Jaden--who he has really missed! They were in the area visiting family and stopped by for the morning. We had such a good time! It was hard to have them go.


Here are a couple of other pictures of the visit...

Playing in the river near our home.

Kristy and Miriam. (You have to appreciate that this picture was taken by Nathan. We were kneeling on the sidewalk to be at the right height! Even still...let's just say this photo has been seriously cropped!)

Shooting off a rocket...a great invention my sister taught us how to make. Uses card stock, packing tape, and an empty plastic film canister. The "fuel" is water and an Alka-Seltzer tablet. It really does shoot off!

Greg's New Guys

Just wanted you to see this great picture of Greg and some of his Priests.
L to R: The Bishop, Dustin, Nick, Greg, Mike, Ben, and the Young Men president.

Family Home Evening

For family home evening this week we did the "real deal". (This is progress for us!) Each person was assigned to a job and followed through! I taught a thrilling lesson about three men being thrown into a fire--and surviving (a bible story you may know). Greg led us in "If You're Happy and You Know It!" Nathan planned an activity--he and Greg made a 3D Foam motorcycle (a kit from JoAnns). And Joshua did dessert...in more ways than one! (He even handed out napkins and spoons before digging in himself.)